- Characteristics for determining the beech
- The height of a beech
- Beeches have a smooth trunk
- This is what beech leaves look like
- Beech leaves in autumn
- Beeches need a sheltered location
No deciduous tree is as common in German forests and parks as the beech, also known as the common beech. Because of its similarity to the hornbeam, which belongs to the birch family, it is often confused with it. You can recognize a beech by these special features.
Beeches are easily recognizable by their unusual leaf shape
Characteristics for determining the beech
There are some distinctive features that can be used to identify a beech tree. However, the color of the foliage is not one of them. Beech trees have green leaves, although they are also called copper beech. Only copper beeches can be recognized by their red leaves.
You can recognize a beech by the following points:
- size
- tribe
- leaves
- autumn leaves
- location
The height of a beech
A fully grown beech reaches 40 to 45 meters. A hornbeam only grows half as tall. The crown of the beech is very even and spreading, while a hornbeam appears slightly stunted.
Beeches have a smooth trunk
Young beeches initially have a dark green, almost black trunk. Over time, it lightens and acquires a silver-grey color.
In contrast to a hornbeam, the beech trunk appears much smoother. The bark is very thin and has only a few cracks.
This is what beech leaves look like
Beech leaves are up to ten centimeters long. Their shape is oval, ovoid. The leaves are only slightly serrated at the edges, in contrast to the hornbeam, in which the serrations are very pronounced.
Beech leaves are traversed by a few veins and appear smooth.
Beech leaves in autumn
Probably the most distinctive feature of the beech is its beautiful autumn foliage. The leaves turn a bright orange-red from October. The color is particularly intense in mid-November.
Most beech species bear their leaves for a very long time, although they are deciduous trees. The leaves often hang on the tree until the following spring. They are then dried up and have a brown color.
The autumn leaves of the hornbeam, on the other hand, turn yellow.
Beeches need a sheltered location
You will usually find beeches in the forest in sheltered places. There are significantly more beeches in southern Germany than in northern Germany.
tips
In contrast to the fruits of the beech, the nuts of the hornbeam are not poisonous. Since both fruits differ in appearance, there is no risk of confusion.